After tragedy, Luke Bryan hits it big

Beneath the image of party-hard country singer, Luke Bryan has endured his share of tragedy.

The hunky, rising Nashville star - who plays Midnight Rodeo at 8 tonight - faced the biggest crisis of his life about six years ago when his older brother, Chris, was killed in an automobile accident.

It happened just as Luke Bryan, fresh out of high school in Leesburg, Ga., was about to move to Nashville to start his music career. But Bryan stayed home to help his family cope. He attended Georgia Southern University and worked in the family business, but his father threatened to "fire" him unless he gave music a shot.

Bryan eventually made it to Nashville and signed a deal with Capitol Records. And this has been his breakout year.

Bryan's country rocker "All My Friends Say" was a smash single, and his current track, "We Rode In Trucks," is racing up the charts. He co-wrote a No. 1 hit, "Good Directions," for Billy Currington. Also, Bryan's first album, "I'll Stay Me," debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard country charts in August.

The success has meant more than money and fame for Bryan and his family.

"After the loss of my brother, my career has given my family something to wrap around," Bryan said in a telephone interview this week. "We draw hope from all the positive things that have happened. This isn't just a job for me; singing, performing and writing music helps me get through the really hard days."

Bryan has been able to adjust from a small Georgia town to the bright lights of Nashville.

"It's all about music, and I've always been making music for a living," Bryan said. "I was always playing little clubs in college. When I'm up there on stage, I'm having a blast."

Bryan's musical influences include Ronnie Milsap, George Strait, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, Conway Twitty and Alabama. There might be one surprise: Lionel Richie.

"My brother and sister were always playing his records, and I couldn't help but listen to them," Bryan said. "To me, he doesn't have the greatest voice, but he just has a way of singing a love song. It's not only good, it's unbelievably good."

Now Bryan is trying to create his own musical legacy. Things happen fast in today's country world, and today's one-hit wonder can quickly find himself back in local honky-tonks.

Bryan, with his intelligence and songwriting skills, isn't worried. He has been playing a grueling schedule of live shows across the country for the past year. Soon, he will open for singer Sara Evans on her national tour.

"I really feel my career is still in its infancy," Bryan said. "It's been an amazing year, and I'm excited about everything. Even if it all stops, I can walk away and feel blessed, but I'm hoping to be around a long time."

Bryan performs tonight in a 21-and-over show at Midnight Rodeo, 718 S. Pine Ave. Tickets are $12- $15; for information call 369-4014 or ticket.web.com.

PATSY. NOT SANJAYA

Remember Sanjaya Malakar, the kid with screechy voice and evolving hair who made a run on "American Idol" last year?

Well, he won't turn up for the Ocala Civic Theatre talent search this week, but the theater is hoping to find someone who sings like Patsy Cline. In January, OCT will present the musical "Always … Patsy Cline."

This week OCT hosts "Almost Patsy Cline," an Idol-ish contest. Competitors must sing a song made famous by the late country singer. Cline's list of hits includes "Crazy" and "Sweet Dreams."

Contestants must pay a $10 entry fee and perform on stage at 7 p.m. Sunday. A second round will be held at 7 p.m. next Sunday, Nov. 11. The winner will receive a $500 prize, with $200 for second place and $100 for third.

Ticket prices to see the competition cost $5.

MOZART AND MORE

Noel Jenkin Davies and Betty Lee will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday in a double piano recital at the Dunnellon Presbyterian Church, 20641 Chestnut St.

They will perform works by Mozart, Franz Liszt, Gioachino Rossini and Aaron Copland.

The recital is free and is part of the church's regular concert series.

For information call 352-489-2682.

Entertainment writer Anthony Violanti can be reached at 867-4154 or anthony.violanti@starbanner.com.